Why You Should Never Say ‘I Don’t Know’ In A Job Interview

In a recent LinkedIn post, serial entrepreneur James Caan
laid out the five things you should never say or do in an
interview. He strongly advises against showing up without
questions and asking about vacation time or salary. He also says
you should never bash your current or previous employers, and
— perhaps his most difficult instruction of all — he
suggests you avoid the phrase “I don’t know.”

Why? It tells the interviewer that you’re not prepared and can’t
think on your feet.

“Interviewers will be looking to stretch and challenge candidates
during the course of the recruitment process," Caan
explains. "The best way of dealing with the tough
questions is to do your homework."

If you’ve done sufficient research, you should be prepared for
almost anything that may be asked of you about the company, the
job, or your resume. Yes, you may be faced with a tough,
unexpected query. In this situation, don’t fret and say, “I don’t
know” — and you definitely shouldn’t bluff your way through a
response. Instead, use the opportunity to show the prospective
employer how you perform under pressure, to demonstrate your
thought process and character, and to communicate your skills and
values.

“Move back into your comfort zone, relate the question back to
something you do know, and take on board any new information you
are given,” Caan says.

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